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New Smyrna Beach cops: Biker, 21, killed on US 1 while apparently speeding and smacking into back of minivan

Newspaper Section

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 21-year-old biker apparently speeding was killed when he slammed his Suzuki sport bike into a minivan in front of him Saturday night while both vehicles were heading south on U.S. 1 near Skyline Drive, New Smyrna Beach police said.

Wade A. Althafer was pronounced dead at the scene of the 8:50 p.m. accident. The driver of the Chrysler minivan was not hurt.

"He was (going) at a high rate of speed when witnesses said he locked up his brakes," Sgt. Christopher Roos said told NSBNews.net.

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59-year-old woman found murdered in home near DeLand; person of interest questioned and released

Newspaper Section

DELAND -- The Volusia County Sheriff's Office has launched a murder investigation after a 59-year-old woman was found dead in her home near DeLand late Friday night with obvious signs of fresh trauma to her body.

Sheriff's deputies interviewed a "person of interest" in the killing who knew the victim, but he was released, agency spokesman Gary Davidson said this evening.

Deputies were dispatched to the victim's residence at 88 Melodie Lane just north of DeLand after receiving a 9-1-1 call at 10:35 p.m. Friday reporting that Margaret Gee had been found unresponsive and not breathing.